It seems as though every year in the NFL Wild Card weekend, at least one of the four teams that are labeled underdogs by the pay head bookies comes through with an improbable win. This year the Denver Broncos are the lone team to represent the “upset” category, but while they may be the biggest story heading in to this weekend, there is a lot more to look forward to even beyond Tim Tebow and his magic.
[FONT="]New Orleans Saints (-3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers[/FONT]
[FONT="]Saturday, 4:30 PM ET[/FONT]
For starters, the Broncos aren’t the only surprise team still in the playoffs. In fact, the San Francisco 49ers’ turnaround under new head coach Jim Harbaugh can be considered just as big of a surprise, especially considering how little time that the bench boss had to implement his system and work with quarterback Alex Smith. However, like the Broncos as they get set to face the New England Patriots, the 49ers are facing a monumental challenge in the form of Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Brees rewrote the record books this season with some of the best numbers ever put up in a single-season by an NFL quarterback, and now the Saints’ offensive machine has its sights set on making a postseason splash on the road in the Bay area.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: New Orleans Saints – 3.5[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots (-13.5)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Saturday, 8:00 PM ET[/FONT]
If Tebow can carry over the momentum from that memorable overtime thriller against the Steelers, this game could actually be the highest scoring of the weekend. Tom Brady and the Patriots had their way with the Broncos in Denver the first time around, but after one of the best performances of his career in which he scorched the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL, Tebow will get a second shot to pull the trigger against the league’s worst pass defense and cover the double-digit per head number.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Denver Broncos + 13.5[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 1:00 PM ET[/FONT]
Provided the fact that the Houston Texans continue to battle without their top two quarterbacks, and have managed to get this far with a rookie signal-caller, perhaps they have already accomplished enough to call this season a success. But with one of the best rushing attacks and a defense that continues to make big plays every week the Texans won’t lay down to the Ravens, so if Baltimore is going to take this one from them they will need Ray Lewis and company to get after TJ Yates. This contest should come down to the experience of Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco, but until he steps up and steals the spotlight by covering a big pay per head sportsbook spread, he won’t get the benefit of the doubt.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Houston Texans + 7.5[/FONT]
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[FONT="]New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers (-8)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 4:30 PM ET[/FONT]
For as impressive as the Giants’ recent run is, the bookie software says that the Packers are eight-point favorites, and anyone that thinks that number is too high must not remember all that Green Bay accomplished this year. The Packers also have the benefit of the bye week and home field advantage, and with their veterans ready to come alive when it matters the most, look for them to make a statement.
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[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Green Bay Packers - 8[/FONT]
[FONT="]New Orleans Saints (-3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers[/FONT]
[FONT="]Saturday, 4:30 PM ET[/FONT]
For starters, the Broncos aren’t the only surprise team still in the playoffs. In fact, the San Francisco 49ers’ turnaround under new head coach Jim Harbaugh can be considered just as big of a surprise, especially considering how little time that the bench boss had to implement his system and work with quarterback Alex Smith. However, like the Broncos as they get set to face the New England Patriots, the 49ers are facing a monumental challenge in the form of Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Brees rewrote the record books this season with some of the best numbers ever put up in a single-season by an NFL quarterback, and now the Saints’ offensive machine has its sights set on making a postseason splash on the road in the Bay area.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: New Orleans Saints – 3.5[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots (-13.5)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Saturday, 8:00 PM ET[/FONT]
If Tebow can carry over the momentum from that memorable overtime thriller against the Steelers, this game could actually be the highest scoring of the weekend. Tom Brady and the Patriots had their way with the Broncos in Denver the first time around, but after one of the best performances of his career in which he scorched the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL, Tebow will get a second shot to pull the trigger against the league’s worst pass defense and cover the double-digit per head number.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Denver Broncos + 13.5[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 1:00 PM ET[/FONT]
Provided the fact that the Houston Texans continue to battle without their top two quarterbacks, and have managed to get this far with a rookie signal-caller, perhaps they have already accomplished enough to call this season a success. But with one of the best rushing attacks and a defense that continues to make big plays every week the Texans won’t lay down to the Ravens, so if Baltimore is going to take this one from them they will need Ray Lewis and company to get after TJ Yates. This contest should come down to the experience of Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco, but until he steps up and steals the spotlight by covering a big pay per head sportsbook spread, he won’t get the benefit of the doubt.
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Houston Texans + 7.5[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers (-8)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sunday, 4:30 PM ET[/FONT]
For as impressive as the Giants’ recent run is, the bookie software says that the Packers are eight-point favorites, and anyone that thinks that number is too high must not remember all that Green Bay accomplished this year. The Packers also have the benefit of the bye week and home field advantage, and with their veterans ready to come alive when it matters the most, look for them to make a statement.
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]NFL Betting Pick: Green Bay Packers - 8[/FONT]
